Free-floating weighted shield for preventing sunlight exposure and algae growth in a cooling tower basin

ABSTRACT

A non-chemical device and method prevents the growth of algae in a cooling tower basin. Cooling tower basins can experience algae growth when exposed to sunlight. This algae growth is typically controlled with chemicals (algaecides). Based on the chemical composition of the algaecides, adverse and/or counter-productive reactions may be experienced, resulting in adverse and/or counter-productive consequences. Further, algaecides are toxic and may be discharged into sanitary waste streams when treated cooling tower water is released. In addition, when algaecide treatment levels fall below effective levels, algae will return, requiring on-going dosing of algaecide into the cooling tower water to maintain control of algae. The device can create a block to prevent sunlight from reaching the cooling tower basin water. Since algae growth requires sunlight, by blocking the sunlight, algae growth can be prevented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/565,339, filed Nov. 30, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cooling tower basin design (also referred to as a cold well design) and, more particularly, to a non-chemical solution for preventing algae growth in a cooling tower basin.

Conventional cooling towers often use chemical treatments to control algae growth. These algae-control chemicals can either deteriorate or neutralize, creating a negative impact, on critical water treatment chemistry in the cooling tower water. Additionally, typical algae-control chemicals are toxic (EPA registered poisons), are released into the environment and are expensive to use.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved method and device for controlling algae growth in cooling tower basins without the use of toxic chemicals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a cooling tower comprises a cooling tower basin holding cooling water therein; and at least one panel disposed in the cooling tower basin, free-floating over the cooling water, wherein the at least one panel preventing sunlight from impinging on the cooling water in the cooling tower basin.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing or inhibiting algae growth in cooling water of a cooling tower basin comprises disposing at least one panel over the cooling water; and blocking sunlight from impinging on the cooling water through placement of the at least one panel.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling tower having an algae shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel disposed in a cooling tower basin of the cooling tower of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of multiple panels of FIG. 2 joined together with junction strips to be disposed in a cooling tower basin;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cooling tower basis showing the panels of FIG. 2 installed therein;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling tower basin of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cradle for supporting a panel above a water level in a cooling tower basin; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cradle and panel design of FIG. 9, installed in a cooling tower basin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a non-chemical device and method for preventing the growth of algae in a cooling tower basin. Cooling tower basins can experience algae growth when exposed to sunlight. This algae growth is typically controlled with chemicals (algaecides). Based on the chemical composition of the algaecides, adverse and/or counter-productive reactions may be experienced, resulting in adverse and/or counter-productive consequences. Further, algaecides are toxic and may be discharged into sanitary waste streams when treated cooling tower water is released. In addition, when algaecide treatment levels fall below effective levels, algae will return, requiring on-going dosing of algaecide into the cooling tower water to maintain control of algae. The device of the present invention can create a block to prevent sunlight from reaching the cooling tower basin. Since algae growth requires sunlight, by blocking the sunlight, algae growth can be prevented from growing in the water below the panel of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “cooling tower basin” is also referred to as a “cold well” and such terms should be considered interchangeable throughout this disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, a cooling tower 28 can include a cooling tower basin 28A. The cooling tower basin 28A can be a designed as a first cooling tower basin design 28B, wherein a panel 18 can be disposed to block sunlight from impinging upon water 20 in the cooling tower basin 28A.

The panel 18 is typically a non-metallic material panel made of materials such as foam, PVC, rubber, or the like. Typically, the material of the panel 18 can be designed to float on the surface of the water. The panel 18 can have sufficient opacity to prevent sunlight from penetrating the panel 18.

The panel 18 can include a plurality of connectors 12 passing through the panel 18. The connectors 12 can be metallic or non-metallic connectors, such as nylon bolts. A washer 14 can be disposed between the connectors 12 and the panel 18 on a top side of the panel 18. A weight 16 can be disposed along the shaft of the connectors 12 and a nut 22 can be used to retain the weight on the connector 12. The weight 16 and the nut 22 can be disposed on an opposite side (bottom side) of the panel 18. Therefore, the panel arrangement 26 can be designed, from top to bottom, as head of the connector 12, washer 14, panel 18, weight 16 and nut 22. In some embodiments, another washer 14 can be disposed between the weight 16 and the nut 22. The weight 16 can be a metallic or non-metallic weight and, similarly, the nut 22 can be a metallic or non-metallic nut, such as a nylon nut. In some embodiments, the nut 22 can be replaced with a connector, pin, or other similar design, provided that the weight 16 is secured on the connector 12.

The weight 16 can be sized to help retain the panel 18 in the cooling tower basin 28A, overcoming the lift potential of the panel. Typically, at least two sets of connectors 12, weights 16 and nuts 22 can be used, often four sets can be used along a length of the panel 18. The panels 18 can be sized in width, length and thickness to accommodate the specific application of cooling tower basin design.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of panels 18 can be interconnected with junction strips 24 to form a length of panels 18 that can fit into the cooling tower basin 28A. Cooling water 20 can flow down a cooling tower fill 30 to enter the cooling tower basin 28A. The panels 18 prevent sunlight from reaching the water 20, thereby preventing algae growth. The junction strips 24 can be attached to adjacent panels 18 via various mechanisms, such as with an adhesive, hook and loop fastener, or the like. By joining the adjacent panels 18 together, lift of individual panels can be avoided, as a sufficient lift would need to be provided to lift an entire length of adjoined panels. If required, a ballasted rod, typically made of PVC, can be added to interconnect the panels to allow even greater stability of the panels and help prevent the panels from being lifted by turbulent conditions. The junction strips 24 can also be designed as a rubber flashing along at least one edge of the panel.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, instead of floating on the surface of the water 20, the panel 18 can be attached, with a plurality of securement straps 32, to an algae shield cradle 34. The cradle 34 can sit in the cooling tower basin to provide an alternate algae shield design 28C. The cradle 34 can have a height sufficient such that the water 20 in the cooling tower basin is below the panel 18 disposed to the top of the cradle 34. Typically, the cradle 34 can have sufficient weight to keep the panel 18 from being lifted, therefore, the connectors 12 and the weights 16 may not be needed in the panel 18. The cradle 34 can be made from various metallic or non-metallic materials. Typically, the cradle 34 can be made from plastic pipe, for example.

The length and width of the cradle 34 can be designed to allow for installation in the cooling tower basin. Similar to that described above, when multiple panels 18 are joined together, a junction strip 24 can be used to prevent sunlight from entering the water between adjacent panels 18.

The algae shield of the present invention prevents algae growth and can be up to about 99.9% effective. Without sunlight, there can be no photosynthesis and, without photosynthesis, there can be no algae growth. The algae shield of the present invention can provide improved performance of water treatment chemistry, cleaner cooling tower basins, lower toxic poison (algaecides) discharged from the cooling tower, and reduced blown-in trash and debris accumulation in the cooling tower basin.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling tower comprising: a cooling tower basin holding cooling water therein; and at least one panel disposed in the cooling tower basin, over the cooling water, wherein the at least one panel preventing sunlight from impinging on the cooling water in the cooling tower basin.
 2. The cooling tower of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of connectors disposed from a top side to a bottom side of each of the at least one panel; a weight attached to each of the connectors at the bottom side of the at least one panel; and a fastener disposed to retain the weight on the connector.
 3. The cooling tower of claim 2, wherein the plurality of connectors are a plurality of bolts and the fastener is a nut.
 4. The cooling tower of claim 1, further comprising a junction strip disposed between adjacent ones of the at least one panel.
 5. The cooling tower of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel floats on the cooling water in the cooling tower basin.
 6. The cooling tower of claim 1, further comprising a cradle for supporting the at least one panel above a surface of the cooling water.
 7. The cooling tower of claim 6, further comprising securement straps for securing the at least one panel to the cradle.
 8. A method for preventing or inhibiting algae growth in cooling water of a cooling tower basin, the method comprising: disposing at least one panel over the cooling water; and blocking sunlight from impinging on the cooling water through placement of the at least one panel.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: a plurality of connectors are disposed from a top side to a bottom side of each of the at least one panel; a weight is attached to each of the connectors at the bottom side of the at least one panel; and a fastener is disposed to retain the weight on the connector.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising interconnecting adjacent ones of the at least one panel with a junction strip.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising floating the at least one panel on the cooling water in the cooling tower basin.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising supporting the at least one panel above a surface of the cooling water in a cradle.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising securing the at least one panel to the cradle with securement straps. 